Speech by Liu Zhenming at the Session on the South China Sea of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Meeti
刘振民部长在博鳌亚洲论坛2017年南海分论坛上的演讲（中英对照版）
稳步推进南海沿岸国合作
Steadily Promote Cooperation among South China Sea Coastal States
——在博鳌亚洲论坛2017年年会南海分论坛上的演讲
– Speech at the session on the South China Sea of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Meeting 2017
中华人民共和国外交部副部长 刘振民
Liu Zhenmin, Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China
海南博鳌，2017年3月25日
25 March 2017, Boao, Hainan
主席先生，各位嘉宾，女士们，先生们：
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
大家下午好！
Good afternoon.
非常高兴与各位专家、学者再次相聚在美丽的博鳌。首先，请允许我代表中国外交部，对大家的到来表示热烈欢迎，对博鳌亚洲论坛2017年年会南海分论坛的举行表示热烈祝贺，对中国南海研究院和吴士存院长为本次分论坛所做的精心安排表示衷心感谢！
I’m delighted to come back to beautiful Boao and join you again in this session on the South China Sea. On behalf of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, I wish to warmly welcome all of you and offer my congratulations on today’s session. I also want to thank the National Institute for South China Sea Studies and President Wu Shicun for their thoughtful arrangements.
女士们，先生们！
Ladies and gentlemen,
“冷战”结束后的二十多年来，东南亚各国享受了第二次世界大战结束以来最长时间的和平，收获了经济高速发展和人民生活水平大幅提高。中国与东南亚各国风雨同舟，和衷共济，在各领域开展了卓有成效的合作。去年是中国与东盟建立对话伙伴关系25周年，我们举办了隆重的纪念活动。中国已成为东盟最大贸易伙伴，中国与东盟关系正迈向新的25年。
Over the last 20 plus years since the end of the Cold War, Southeast Asian countries have enjoyed the longest period of peace in the post-World War II era, marked by fast growth and rising living standards.
In the spirit of unity and mutual help, China and ASEAN countries carried out fruitful cooperation in various fields. Last years, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. China has become the largest trading partner of ASEAN, and we look forward to working with ASEAN to embrace the next 25 years of our booming ties.
当前，在中国和东盟国家的共同努力下，南海局势保持总体稳定，不断呈现积极发展的态势。在中菲两国领导人的亲自指导下，中菲就妥善处理南海有关问题达成一系列重要共识，实现双边关系华丽转圜。今年1月，双方决定建立南海问题双边磋商机制，并计划于近期举行首次会议。去年7月以来，中国和东盟国家相继发表《全面有效落实<南海各方行为宣言>的联合声明》和其他重要文件，再次确认由直接当事国通过谈判磋商解决争议，对外释放了地区国家共同维护南海和平稳定的强烈信号。今年1月以来，我走访了东南亚几个国家，与我的外国同事谈了一些我本人关于南海沿岸国合作的想法，他们普遍对此很感兴趣，纷纷表示愿与中方进一步研究。我愿利用今天这个机会，专门谈谈稳步推进南海沿岸国合作问题。
With the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has been stable overall and moving in a positive direction.
With the personal attention of state leaders, China and the Philippines reached important consensus on properly handling relevant issues in the South China Sea, bringing about a turnaround in bilateral relations. This January, the two sides agreed to set up a bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue, and the first meeting will soon be held.
Furthermore, China and ASEAN countries issued the Joint Statement on the Full and Effective Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) last July and other important documents, reaffirming that the relevant disputes should be settled through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned. It sends a strong signal that regional countries will work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
In my visits to Southeast Asian countries since January, I shared my thoughts on promoting cooperation among South China Sea coastal States. ASEAN colleagues showed great interest in and wanted to further explore this idea.
Today, let me focus my remarks on this topic.
女士们、先生们！
Ladies and gentlemen,
南海是典型的闭海和半闭海。南海的和平稳定与各沿岸国的安全、发展和繁荣息息相关，与各沿岸国人民的福祉息息相关。实现南海地区的和平稳定和繁荣发展是各沿岸国的共同愿望和共同责任，符合各沿岸国的共同利益。当前，稳步推进南海沿岸国合作正当其时，按中国人的话说就是具备“天时、地利、人和”。各沿岸国应勇于创新、开拓思路，妥处分歧、聚焦合作，继续发扬光大传统友谊，维护南海和平稳定，推动本地区合作、发展与繁荣。
The South China Sea is a typical closed or semi-closed sea. Peace and stability there is crucial for the security, development and prosperity of all coastal States and the well-beings of their peoples. It is in the shared interests of all coastal States to promote peace, stability, prosperity and development, which is also our common responsibility.
Now is the right time to launch cooperation among South China Sea coastal States. To quote a Chinese idiom, it is "of the right time, in the right place and with the support of the people.
The coastal States should address the South China Sea issue with an open mind and creative approach, and stay focused on cooperation while properly handling differences. They should carry forward traditional friendship, maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, which is conducive to cooperation, development and prosperity in the whole region.
所谓“天时”，正如我刚才所谈，南海局势已经趋稳降温，各国重回通过谈判协商解决有关争议问题的正确轨道，在南海地区积极开展各领域海上务实合作大有可为。早在6年前，中国政府即宣布设立中国—东盟海上合作基金，并已开始资助有关合作项目。2013年，中国国家主席习近平出访东南亚期间就提出共建“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的重大倡议。目前，中方发起建立的“亚洲基础设施投资银行”和“丝绸之路基金”整装待发，将为有关项目合作提供资金支持。迄今，已有100多个国家和国际组织积极响应和支持中国有关倡议，40多个国家和国际组织同中国签署合作协议。中国企业对沿线国家投资达到500多亿美元，一系列重大项目落地开花，带动了各国经济发展。
As I just said, now is the right time to launch cooperation among coastal States. The situation in the South China Sea has been cooling down. With countries returning to the right track of settling disputes through negotiation and consultation, much can be achieved in practical maritime cooperation. As early as 6 years ago, the Chinese government declared the establishment of the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund, and has begun to finance relevant cooperation programs.
In 2013, President Xi Jinping put forward the important initiative of building a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road during his visit to Southeast Asia. Now, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Silk Road Fund are ready to support relevant cooperation projects.
As of today, more than 100 countries and international organizations have endorsed China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and over 40 of them have signed cooperation agreements with China. Chinese companies have invested over 50 billion US dollars in countries along the Maritime Silk Road and implemented a number of major projects, making a positive impact on the economic growth of relevant countries.
中国愿同东盟各国继续深化发展战略对接，特别是与《东盟互联互通总体规划2025》的对接，加强产能合作，推动更多合作项目落地，为提振地区经济增长、加强东亚合作势头注入强劲动力。中国欢迎地区国家搭乘中国经济发展的“快车”。
China will continue to align its development strategy with those of ASEAN countries, especially the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025(MPAC2025). We will strengthen cooperation on production capacity and implement more cooperation projects in ASEAN countries, to lend new impetus to growth and regional cooperation in East Asia. Countries in the region are welcome to ride in the express train of China’s development.
所谓“地利”，在南海建立沿岸国合作机制有充足的国际法依据，国际上的成功案例比比皆是。《联合国海洋法公约》规定：闭海或半闭海沿岸国在行使本公约所规定的权利和义务时，应相互合作，尽力直接或通过适当区域组织协调海洋生物资源利用，保护海洋环境等。此外，包括联合国有关专门机构在内的许多重要国际组织均鼓励闭海或半闭海沿岸国建立机制、加强合作。
According to the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), States bordering an enclosed or semi-enclosed sea should cooperate with each other in the exercise of their rights and in the performance of their duties under UNCLOS. They shall endeavor, directly or through an appropriate regional organization, to coordinate the utilization of the living resources of the sea, and protect and preserve the marine environment.
Moreover, many international organizations, including specialized agencies of the United Nations, have encouraged the coastal States bordering an enclosed or semi-enclosed sea to establish mechanisms of cooperation.
自20世纪50年代起，与南海相似的闭海或半闭海，如加勒比海、地中海、波罗的海、黑海、里海等沿岸国家相继建立了沿岸国合作机制。有的建立了多框架、多机构的成熟合作体系，有的着重在海上安全、海上救援、海洋环境保护、渔业资源管理和海洋科研等领域开展合作。总体看，相关机制补充并促进了区域合作格局，有利于增进沿岸国间的互信，缓解有关国家间的领土和管辖权争议。这是我们南海沿岸国加强合作可资借鉴的国际范例。
Since the 1950s, the coastal States of many closed or semi-closed seas, such as the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, have established cooperation mechanisms. Some are mature cooperation systems with multiple frameworks and institutions, and some have focused on thematic cooperation such as maritime security, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, fishery management and marine scientific research.
These mechanisms broadened and enriched regional cooperation. They have been helpful in enhancing mutual trust among coastal States and mitigating territorial and jurisdictional disputes. These are valuable experience for cooperation among the South China Sea coastal States.
事实上，在本地区，我们也有一些南海沿岸国加强合作的成功实践。官方层面，我们在全面有效落实《南海各方行为宣言》框架下，开展了一些海上搜救、海洋科研及海洋环保等领域的合作。非官方层面，我们通过“管理南海潜在冲突研讨会”历年执行的项目，进行了一系列非常务实有效、贴近民生的合作。各方均对此表示欢迎，并希望继续开展有关项目合作。在贾拉尔博士的推动下，开展了很多合作项目。
In fact, the South China Sea coastal States have made some successful attempts in this direction. We carried out some cooperation programs on maritime search and rescue, marine scientific research and environmental protection under the framework of the full and effective implementation of the DOC.
At the non-government level, we conducted a number of cooperation projects concerning people’s livelihood through the Workshops on Managing Potential Conflict in the South China Sea. All parties welcome and wish to continue such cooperation.
所谓“人和”，南海地区人民世代友好，心灵相通，南海沿岸国加强合作有着厚重的历史积淀。南海自古就是中国与东南亚、南亚、西亚、乃至欧洲和非洲国家互通有无、友好往来的重要通道，是海上丝绸之路的重要组成部分，历史上为加强中国与各国的政治关系、贸易往来、民间友好发挥了重要作用。数千年来，南海各沿岸国环海而居、守望相助，各国人民血脉相亲、相互交融。
Advancing cooperation among coastal States is supported by the people. People in our region enjoy a time-honored friendship and formed close cultural bonds. And there is a long tradition of cooperation among coastal States.
Since ancient times, the South China Sea has been a major channel for trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and even Europe and Africa.
As a vital part of the Maritime Silk Road, the South China Sea played an important role in strengthening political relations, trade and friendship between China and foreign countries. It has borne witness to mutual help and common progress of all coastal States.
南海作为古老的海上丝绸之路的重要通道，承载了各沿岸国人民风雨同舟、共同进步的美好记忆。同各沿岸国间源远流长、历久弥新的友谊相比，近几十年出现的南海有关争议算不得什么，只是各国关系中的一小部分。我们现代人没有任何理由不比我们的先人们做得更好！
In the context of profound friendship among coastal States, the disputes in the South China Sea, which surfaced a few decades ago, only account for a small fraction of our relations. I see no reason why we cannot do a better job than our ancestors.
女士们、先生们！
Ladies and gentlemen,
我们南海沿岸国应积极借鉴世界其他地区的成功经验， 在不妨碍各自主张的前提下，可以发起并创建相关合作机制，为增进互信、加强合作和分享利益搭建一个有效的平台。各国可以在防灾减灾、海上搜救、保护海洋环境和海洋生物多样性、海洋科学研究、海上航行安全等领域进行具体的、务实的、机制化的合作，同时可以适当方式就海上有关问题交换意见。我们相信，有关机制的建立将对本地区国家积累互信，协同发展大有裨益。
The South China Sea coastal States should draw upon the successful experience of other regions, and without prejudice to the parties’ respective claims, work together to initiate and establish a relevant cooperation framework, which could serve as an effective platform for enhancing mutual trust, strengthening cooperation and promoting shared interests.
Such a framework can bring the relevant States together in practical and institutionalized cooperation in fields such as disaster prevention and reduction, maritime search and rescue, protection of marine environment and bio-diversity, marine scientific research and navigation safety.
We may also exchange views on relevant maritime issues in a proper way. We are confident that the establishment of such a framework will be conducive to mutual trust and common development among regional countries.
此外，我还想强调以下两点：
In addition, I want to stress the following two points:
一是该合作机制将与现有中国和东盟各国的双边合作机制以及中国和东盟国家在《南海各方行为宣言》框架下的多边磋商机制相辅相成、并行不悖，将是对《宣言》和现有双边和多边机制的补充，并为开展相关技术合作提供新的平台。
First, such a framework will run in parallel and be complementary to the existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms between China and ASEAN countries and the multilateral consultation mechanism under the framework of the DOC. It will only provide a new platform for relevant technical cooperation.
二是该机制宗旨在于加强务实合作，增进互信，不涉及解决争议问题。沿岸国开展合作不应影响直接有关的主权国家通过谈判磋商和平解决领土和管辖权争议，也不应影响各国在有关问题上的主张和立场。
Second, the purpose of this framework is to enhance practical cooperation and mutual trust, it is not concerned with dispute settlement. Cooperation among the coastal States will not hamper the efforts of sovereign States directly concerned to seek peaceful settlement of territorial and jurisdictional disputes through negoti
我本人曾就此与一些南海沿岸国的同事进行非正式的沟通，他们普遍做出了积极反应。接下来，我们愿就此与各方进一步加强沟通和协调，欢迎地区国家朋友提出意见和建议。
I have conveyed the above ideas informally to colleagues from South China Sea coastal States and they have responded positively. We are ready to engage in more communication and coordination with parties concerned. We welcome responses and suggestions from regional countries.
女士们，先生们！
Ladies and gentlemen,
记得去年这个时候，我们在此为中国南海研究院和东南亚国家智库共同发起建立的“中国—东南亚南海研究中心”举行了揭牌仪式。目前该中心已进入中国国内注册登记阶段，相信中心的成立将为南海地区合作贡献更多的智慧。希望各位特别是东南亚国家的智库和专家学者继续大力支持并积极参与该中心的运作。
I recall that this time last year, we unveiled right here the “China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea (CSARC), which was jointly initiated by the National Institute for South China Sea Studies and the think tanks of Southeast Asian countries.
Now, CSARC is going through domestic registration in China. I believe that its establishment will contribute more wisdom to cooperation in the South China Sea region. I hope that experts and scholars here, especially think tanks from Southeast Asia, will continue to support and take an active part in CSARC operations.
最后，我愿再次热烈欢迎大家的到来，再次感谢中国南海研究院和吴士存院长为大家提供了这样一个交流平台，让大家畅所欲言，坦诚沟通。欢迎大家继续为南海沿岸国有关合作机制建设、南海地区国家协同发展和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”建设等重大议题建言献策。
Once again, I wish to welcome all of you to this event, and thank President Wu and his team for providing us with such a good platform for open and candid discussion.
I look forward to your insights and ideas on the setting-up of a cooperation framework among the South China Sea coastal States, and other important topics such as the common development of countries in the South China Sea region and the building of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
谢谢大家，预祝本次南海分论坛圆满成功！
To conclude, I wish this session a complete success.
Thank you.
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